Racer and the Jailbird

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David Lee K @RT17066284 Sep 3, 2026 This is a BS movie that NOBODY should bother to watch. Too many BS plot twists, too many BS events. Too many moments that you think "Why am I watching this??" See more

isla s @RT89656869 Sep 4, 2022 This is a reasonably well made film but it felt pretty predictable in terms of the themes/plot. It is quite a sobering watch but it felt too sort of moral for my taste somehow. The performances are decent enough and there are some fairly good high action/adrenalin type scenes with fast car chases and the like, as well as scenes depicting robberies and other such things but I did think perhaps about half way through the film, the pace slowed down somewhat considerably and it became less enthralling. I found myself guessing what was going to happen. Its an ok film, a somewhat watchable one with good performances but its hardly a memorable and constantly enthralling watch, so I wouldn't go out of your way to watch it, no. See more

Ola G @Ollie1972 Jan 24, 2022 Introduced to Bénédicte "Bibi" Delhany (Adèle Exarchopoulos) after a motor racing event Gino "Gigi" Vanoirbeek (Matthias Schoenaerts) pretends he works importing and exporting cars, and asks her out on a date. As their relationship continues, comments from his friends about their wild youth and his time in juvenile detention raise her suspicions. In a private moment Bibi asks him to reveal his greatest secret and Gigi jokingly admits he robs banks. They daydream about travel and when asked if she could go anywhere Bibi suggests that should go to Buenos Aires. Gigi and his friends successfully rob a banker they met at party held by Bibi's racing group. Gigi is falling in love with Bibi and is reluctant to do any further jobs. Bibi's father has suspicions too and confronts Gigi, urging him to be honest with Bibi like a real man should do. Gigi tells him he wants to marry Bibi. Bibi has a growing realisation that Gigi isn't telling her the whole truth but they confess their love for each other. The gang plan another more elaborate heist, and as their getaway driver Gigi is essential to their plans. The gang drop a shipping container off a road bridge, to trap a money transport van and police escort. They get away with the money but Gigi is sick with nerves. The money is booby trapped with explosives and one of the gang is badly injured. Gigi leaves the hideout to call a doctor from a nearby payphone. He also calls Bibi and she warns him that a police officer was killed in the robbery and that a major manhunt was underway and for her sake he should not resist. The gang is caught and all are sent to prison. Bibi is sure of her love and wants to stay with Gigi so during brief prison visits they try to get pregnant. They turn to fertility treatment to try to conceive, but while on temporary leave from prison Gigi is bitten on the leg by a small dog. After kicking the dog in retaliation the police get involved and Gigi runs in panic. Bibi hides him temporarily but when a police manhunt begins she convinces him to give himself up and return to prison... Owen Gleiberman of Variety writes that the success of a dramatic love story hinges on there being interesting obstacles to overcome. Gleiberman says that Gigi's lack of honesty and vulnerability threatening their relationship is a good obstacle but that the obstacle of Gigi's inevitable incarceration "seems to choke off the film's dramatic possibilities" and "the whole thing becomes drenched in a kind of downbeat sentimental martyrdom that feels oppressively old-fashioned and moribund." Michaël R. Roskam´s gangster love/crime drama has great acting from Matthias Schoenaerts and lovely Adèle Exarchopoulos foremost and there´s chemistry between them, but all involved is on top to my mind. The cinematography is great and the vibe of the film feels truly authentic. However, the storyline doesn´t really offer anything all that new to be honest and in my point of view the film is quite good the first hour and a half and then it loses focus and becomes scattered and not that engaging. The love affair has been replaced by overdramatic and partly exaggerated events and actions. The main characters backstories are not fully fleshed out either which I think is a shame as it would´ve created an even stronger story. "Le Fidèle" has truly moments and it´s a good looking film with great acting, but in the end it doesn´t fully connect the dots. See more

Dec 16, 2020 Hearts of gold and true love cannot solve the problems surrounding bad choices; Schoenarts and Exarchopoulos play to their strengths in self-assured roles requiring dramatic and sexual chops See more

Josh R @RT27661070 May 17, 2020 Honest european crime drama, like neo-noir - so rare in our time. A powerful acting play by belgian Matthias Schonarts!!! Two thumbs up! See more

Oct 7, 2019 What a shame. Matthias Schoenaerts Is a great actor but the script was a mess. See more

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Racer and the Jailbird

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